The Pyramids of Giza
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For many of us in the group the Pyramids have been on our Bucket List for a long time. We can’t wait to get there. But first, a quick visit to the Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary (the hanging church) dating back to the 12th century and reputedly built on the ruins of two towers from the fortress of Babylon. Then the short trip to Giza. On the outskirts of Cairo, this complex consists of nine pyramids and the Great Sphinx. The three main pyramids are the Great Pyramid (the Pyramid of Khufu also called Cheops) and the nearby pyramids of his son and grandson Khafre and Menkaure. The Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest and is the only Wonder of the Ancient World to remain largely intact.
Making a Difference
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The theme for this year’s Worldchoice conference was ‘making a difference’ and that was evident from the moment we arrived on Friday evening to the conclusion on Sunday morning. The level of interaction, energy and pure delight to be back in ‘full on’ conference mode was so good and testament to the amazing job that Carol Anne O’Neill (Commercial Manger Worldchoice) has done bringing Worldchoice members, trade and media partners back together and do what we do best.
I65 Travel Centres delegates confirmed for this weekend.
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Retail conference interaction continues this weekend as we look forward to this year’s 17th annual Travel Centres conference. Excitement is growing amongst agent delegates and trade partners alike as Dominic and Bernie Burke bring us back to home of Travel Centres conferences to the beautiful surroundings of the Killashee Hotel and Spa.
This year’s event will be the consortium’s largest conference since 2019 and 165 delegates in total have already registered for the conference which has been reduced to a two-night/one-day gathering. Travel Centres are also delighted to announce that they will be hosting Pat Dawson (ITAA CEO) at the Friday night dinner - yet another indication of the close working relationship that exists between the consortium and the national representative body.
Royal update the trade at the Ivy
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd hosted a great evening at The Ivy in Dublin on November 9th to advertise their business plans for 2023 and ‘24. The Jonathan Swift room in The Ivy was jammed with cruise enthusiasts eager to learn the news updates from Royal Caribbean. A lively presentation by Stuart Byron (Director of Sales UK & Ireland) and our own Jennifer Callister was informative and exciting in content. The infectious enthusiasm of Michelle (ma belle!) Ryan adds to the interest as she recounts her personal experiences on board several Royal Caribbean ships.
‘Making a Difference’ by Day and by Night
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Carol Anne O’Neill and Worldchoice members making a Difference.
Worldchoice Conference 2022 Networking by day and celebrating at night makes all the time we missed together alright.
No words required… The pictures tell the story of ‘Making a difference’
El Al to operate direct from Dublin in 2023
Represented in Ireland by Catherine Grennell Whyte (ATTS), EL AL Israel Airlines will launch nonstop flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv starting 26 March.
EL AL announced the opening of new route at the WTM exhibition, the largest tourism exhibition in Europe that opened in London and Travelbiz was there to hear the great news.
The first flight is expected to depart from Tel Aviv on the 26 March 2023. EL AL plans to operate 3 flights weekly flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv, launching the first nonstop service between the two counties.
Celebrity goes Green for Travelbiz
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Jade Berry (PR and events Manager Celebrity Cruises) and Chloe Cook (PR Executive EMEA Celebrity Cruises) made Don's night in London all the more special by making a beautiful green effort to welcome Travelbiz as their Irish media partner to the Celebrity Cruises celebration in the Serpentine, North Gallery, where Jo Rzymowska (Vice President & Managing Director EMEA Celebrity Cruises) announced the wonderful news that Celebrity Apex will be homeporting from Southampton in 2024!
Congratulations Jo Rzymowska
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Celebrity Cruises’ EMEA chief, Jo Rzymowska, recognised as one of the world’s best role models.
Travelbiz is delighted to share the news that one of our very dear industry friends Jo Rzymowska has been named in the Outstanding Top 100 LGBT+ Executives Role Models List, and not only that, achieved a top 20 spot coming in at number 11!
This is an incredible achievement for all the work Jo has done across her career, driving for equality and inclusion for all, both within Celebrity Cruises and across the wider travel industry.
Strand Travel Worldchoice Agent of the year 2022
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Another standing ovation at the Worldchoice Conference awards in the Fairways hotel in Dundalk as Strand Travel Worldchoice in Waterford won the Worldchoice Agent of The Year Award 2022! Thomas, Derek and all the Strand Travel team accepted their award and made a special tribute to the late, great and sorely missed Tom O’Donohoe. This one is for you Tom on behalf of all at Strand Travel and Yvonne and all the O’Donohoe Travel team in Gorey.
Congratulations Thomas and all the team at Strand Travel from team Travelbiz.
Air Canada Sales Blitz concludes
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The Air Canada sales blitz is now finished. 3 weeks of visiting agents throughout the length and breadth of Ireland.